Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ULSTER ACE CHRIS CALLS IT A DAY
IT’S not often a player scores two tries on his first Test start and isn’t the main topic of conversation.
But it happened to Tadhg Beirne in Chicago on Saturday when Jordan Larmour, also in his first full game for Ireland, went on to grab a hat-trick against Italy.
But far from feeling denied the limelight, Munster second row Beirne joked that Larmour could now be a NFL target after his Soldier Field sorcery.
“We were saying that if the Chicago Bears lad is looking at him, he might be poaching him,” laughed Beirne. “But Jordan is a bit of a freak when it comes to his speed and his agility.
“He just picks them off like it’s nothing and he’s a credit. He’s just a natural talent, isn’t he? He’s a gifted player, that’s what you’d call him. And he’s still not the finished article because he’s 21 and he’ll keep learning.
“So imagine how good he’ll be by the time he’s 27, 28.”
Beirne is known for his versatility in the pack – for being able to put in a big performance whether selected in his usual second row role or in the back row.
Larmour too is able to mix it up in the backline and against the Azzurri he started at full-back but was switched to the left wing in the second half.
With Rob Kearney a doubt for the Argentina clash on Saturday, Larmour could well get another start at No.15.
And Beirne likes the look of the Leinster talent there.
“Full-back gives him that little bit of extra space to run at guys and pick them off because that’s what he’s good at,” said the former Scarlets man.
“He’s shown that in the past, how good his feet are. I’m sure he’ll take whatever position he is given but he showed how good he is as a full-back on Saturday.”
Beirne is now fighting it out for a second row berth with James Ryan, Iain Henderson and Devin Toner all available to face the Pumas in Dublin.
The 25-year-old admitted: “I’ll take one game at a time and I’m hoping to be involved. If I’m lucky enough to be starting or on the bench, hopefully I’ll be ready for it.
“There were four second rows in Chicago and we’re all in the same boat. Obviously Iain Henderson remained behind.”
Beyond that there is the All Blacks to come in under a fortnight’s time and again he would love to be central to that effort.
“They’re number one in the world, you grow up watching those Ireland and All Black games, especially the one in Chicago two years ago,” Beirne said. “It would be pretty cool to play them. Everyone here has a point to prove, everyone is trying to gun for a starting position.”
ULSTER stalwart Chris
Henry confirmed his retirement yesterday in trademark fashion - with unflappable honesty, efficiency and no little modesty.
The 24-times capped Ireland flanker, currently in his testimonial year, said he made the difficult decision “after a great deal of thought and discussions with family and friends”.
“Now is the right time to retire from the game I love,” he added. “No matter how much I would love to finish the season, my career has taken its toll physically.
“And so for the wellbeing of myself, my loving wife and my family, I will be retiring immediately.”
Henry’s departure brings the curtain down on 10 years of Ulster service during which he won 184 caps dating back to his debut against Harlequins in 2009.
The 34-year-old, who made his Ireland debut in 2010 and won the Six Nations four years later (left), famously returned to frontline action after suffering a mini stroke in 2014.
Less than a year after undergoing surgery to repair a hole in his heart, he was lining out for Ireland at the 2015 World Cup.
Henry said: “I am incredibly proud to be a one-club man and the honour of putting on the white and green jerseys is something I will always cherish.
“Like any rugby career, there have been setbacks and knocks, however the incredible highs will forever outweigh the lows.”
Henry, who made his last Ulster appearance in September, thanked his mum, dad, brothers and wife
Jade for “being my biggest fans and believing in me”.
He added: “We sadly lost our father William one month before my first Irish cap but every time I put on the jersey I felt him with me.”
Ulster team-mate Chris Gilroy tweeted: “One of the nicest and most welcoming guys when I first starting playing for Ulster.
“You have been through the wringer at times but always bounced back with a smile on your face! All the best Chadler and congrats on a fantastic career.”